May 12 is another one of those Thursdays that will see some writing work push the limits of sanity. Real tests of mettle will bear a carcass of a skull on the Friday morning that follows it. Be sure of something, be sure of that...

Captain America And The Falcon #14 closes out another series penned by the almighty Priest. Since this is part two of a two-part story, there isn't any point in picking this one up outside of tasting what has been a fantastic ride with Captain America, the Falcon and the Anti-Cap. Enjoy it while the wait beckons for the next title to be given no fanfare.

Harry Osborn must be the Hobgoblin by now in Ultimate Spider-Man #77. Last issue read was #74, and things seriously looked like they were going that way. Petulant punk.

Astonishing X-Men #10 must have also dealt with the Danger Room problem by now. That thing was starting to get ahead of itself by #8. Jumping back into the pile soon.

If past experiences in reading has shown anything, Freedom Force #4 will be as crazy as the three that preceded it. Real crazy. Like, WTF kind.

But the pick for this week that isn't already being taken down features the Man with the Chin, Bruce Campbell in Man With The Screaming Brain #1. If the title isn't an indication of what it could be, then it is a fine and deceptive title isn't it?

 

For those around Sydney CBD, Manly, Bondi and the Inner West, the newest LAST issue is out. Check on page 18 and you'll sort yourself out for the pick of the crop harvested across the spectrum of 2004. Ten comics all up, but if you're really counting, just over half are still around.

She-Hulk, Mitchell Hundred, Bone and Cerebus make the list. There's also Plastic Man and Conan. A tough call to make, their values judging themselves. Blew the brains out trying to make this one, the task far harder than first considered. Wow, the work involved. It pains.

Sydney based writer, Jason Rand is there for the Australian connection -- there's that Small Gods comic from Image Comics he's got under his pen.

Rest of the magazine is into that Valentine skin. Check it out. It's free, though you might not believe that entirely. You have six days left.

(This week's picks for February 10 are already holding space on the standing order. Doc Frankenstein and Captain America and the Falcon aren't that similar. But they sure do pack in some fun and intriguing schematics.)